December 8: An Urban Retreat Day at Smith Farm Center for Healing and the Arts

What a beautiful day it has been! I spent it at an urban retreat held at one of my favorite U Street sanctuaries, Smith Farm Center for Healing and the Arts (www.smithfarm.com).

The retreat was organized for Smith Farm artists-in-residence who work at local hospitals. I joined Smith Farm in 2001. I started working in the hospital setting in January 2003. Howard University Hospital was the first place I worked. I have also conducted workshops at Washington Hospital Center’s Cancer Conferences, Holy Cross Hospital’s Breast Cancer Support Groups, and the annual conferences held by the Society for the Arts in Healthcare (www.thesah.org).

Smith Farm is an amazing place to work. The organization always takes care of its artists with retreats and professional development workshops. We are always learning and growing. That’s why I love my Smith Farm family!

The urban retreat began with an amazing writing workshop. Eight of us had a great time writing poetry and journaling exercises. We also shared our thoughts. Right before we lunch we experienced a wonderful gentle yoga session. My favorite part was the yoga nidra. That was the piece de resistance for me. I felt like I was melting away! Yoga yummy! We had a yummy healthy lunch while we held our December meeting and shared our latest news. I left feeling more relaxed and open to the holiday season and 2010!